France cut steel production by 20.8% y/y in September

In September 2025, French steel enterprises reduced steel production by 20.8% compared to September 2024, to 730 thousand tons. Thus, the country ranks 19th in the WorldSteel Association’s global ranking of steel-producing countries (70).

Compared to the previous month, smelting volumes decreased by 2.7%. This is the lowest figure since June.

This September, the French metallurgical industry did not show the traditional autumn revival after the summer decline, indicating continued weak demand from major steel consumers, as well as high energy costs, which remain the main factor putting pressure on production costs. At the same time, the trend is likely to deepen in October, as a fire broke out at the ArcelorMittal plant in Fos-sur-Mer at the beginning of the month, shutting down the only blast furnace No. 2, which will remain out of operation until at least December this year.

During January-September, the industry produced 7.27 million tons of steel, which is 9.7% less than in January-September last year. Average monthly steel production fell to 808,330 tons compared to 895,440 tons a year earlier.

In general, EU steel companies reduced steel production by 4.5% y/y in September 2025 – to 10.1 million tons, and by 3.7% y/y in January-September – to 94.6 million tons.

It should be recalled that at the end of 2024, French steel companies increased steel production by 7.6% compared to 2023, to 10.76 million tons. The indicator recovered after a significant drop of 17.5% in 2023.

Average monthly steel production in 2024 was 896,250 tons, while in 2023 it was 833,000 tons, and in 2022 it was 1.01 million tons.

There are 11 steel enterprises in France, including ArcelorMittal Dunkerque (2.25 million tons of steel per year), Saarstahl Ascoval Saint-Saulve (730 thousand tons per year), LME Trith-Saint-Léger (820 thousand tons per year), Ascometal Hagondange (825,000 tons/year), Riva Sam Neuves-Maisons (850,000 tons/year), Riva Sam Montereau (720,000 tons/year), Riva Alpa Gargenville (700,000 tons/year), Riva Iton Seine Bonnieres Sur Seine (550,000 tons/year), Celsa France Boucau (1.2 million tons/year), ArcelorMittal Méditerranée Fos sur Mer (2.55 million tons/year), Ascometal Fos Sur Mer (900,000 tons/year). The total capacity of steel production plants reaches 12.09 million tons per year.